********************************** "Um...it's from 'Branded', a burger place on Broome Street. They mostly sell burgers and fries," I say, like some redundant nitwit. Because what else would a burger place sell, Emmy? Duh! "Riiight," he drawls, adding to my embarrassment. "So, Emeline..." "You can call me Emmy," I interrupt. (Great, now he thinks you're dumb and rude) "I like the sound of Emmy better anyway," Mr. Branault says. "Emeline makes you sound like a character from 'little house on the prairie'." I should probably be insulted by his observation, but instead, am compelled to laugh because I couldn't agree more. Emeline is totally a 'little house on the prairie' name. I'm just disappointed that I didn't think of it first. ********************************************* 'Old money'(n.) - of, being, or related to people whose families have been rich for a long time 'Straight up broke'(n.) - of, being so poor that you contemplate stealing dollar bills out of a street performer's guitar case Mr. Charles Branault is 'old money'. Emeline Adkins is 'straight up broke'. Hold onto your hats kiddos, cause this office romance is going to be a bumpy ride.
